The Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml

The Balvenie create a unique range of single malt Scotch whiskies hand-crafted in Speyside using centuries-old skills passed down through generations. The Balvenie's' process is a combination of expertise, skill and ambition which is the same now as it has been through generations. Balvenie's use of 5 key crafts is key to maintaining their high standards. Home grown barley, craft of the cooperage of the barrels, the malting floor where the grain is prepared, the copper stills that create the base spirit and the malt master who oversees the refining of the end product.

The Balvenie French Oak is a vibrant single malt finished in casks previously held wine from the French Charentes vineyards. Pineau des Charentes is a fortified wine made from unfermented grape juice, to which a Cognac eau-de-vie is added and then matured. Sixteen years of maturation in American Oak casks brings an abundance of vanilla spice and warm honey notes. The finishing in Pineau casks brings energizing grapefruit, geranium, glazed fruit and ginger.

This is the first of The Balvenie finishes to explore French Oak. Pineau is akin to cognac in terms of production and flavour, allowing us to capitalise on the rise of this flavour profile and its premium credentials. The Balvenie USA brand ambassador Lorne Cousin suggested Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE explore these casks after a trip to the region with his family where he fondly remembers sipping an aperitif. 

Beautifully balanced light floral notes from lotus and geranium flowers dance between hints of fresh meadow grass and pealed apple skin. On the palate there is an energising zing from tangy lemon rind and grapefruit meet the delicate subtle sweetness of glazed fruits and spice from root ginger, with a refreshingly concise finish.